Burnley (United Kingdom) (AFP) - Manchester United's record signing Angel di Maria was pitched straight into the starting XI for his side's Premier League game away to Burnley on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Argentina international joined United from Real Madrid on Tuesday for a British-record fee of £59.7 million ($98 million, 75 million euros).

He was named in central midfield by United manager Louis van Gaal for the game at Burnley, with Tom Cleverley dropping out of the team that drew 1-1 at Sunderland last weekend.

"Angel di Maria will be an important player for us," van Gaal told BT Sport prior to kick-off at Turf Moor.

"He has to show that he shall adapt to the English culture quickly and the English way of playing. His fellow players have to adapt to his qualities, too."

United are seeking their first competitive win under van Gaal, having lost 2-1 at home to Swansea City on the season's opening day before being humiliated 4-0 by third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup in mid-week.